Spilling the beans: The best coffees on Hong Kong Island

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t claim to be an expert; I just appreciate a well-made latte and don’t have time and dollars for slush made by cowboy baristas that’s burnt, boiling and tastes like chemicals… You get my drift?

When I first moved to HK from Auckland (a little city, yes, but one with a fab café culture), I found myself pining for the perfectly poured flat whites and lattes I had taken for granted back home.

That is until the caffeine kicked in and I decided to set out to explore HK’s best coffee joints – which there are plenty of, so there’s no pining required!

Coco Espresso G/F, 197 Queens Road Central, Sheung Wan2542 2228

Large takeaway coffee: $35

I found out about this little hole in the wall from a coffee-loving friend who lives nearby – she swears by it. Although it’s nothing flashy on the outside, the team behind the Coco Espresso counter takes their coffee pretty seriously. I’ve found that the flat whites tend to be especially good, while the lattes are ok. With a small selection of quality cabinet food to boot, this is a perfect place to grab a coffee and bite to eat on the go if you’re ever in the area.

Cool, modern and minimalist, Barista Jam is definitely worth venturing into Sheung Wan for. Although the actual café interior itself is quite cold and empty, the quality coffee, fresh juices and thick smoothies (not to mention the sandwiches, salads and pastas) are what you go for. In terms of coffee, I find the quality here really consistent. Something I’m sure early birds will be pleased to note too is that Barista Jam opens at 8am most weekdays (all except Monday when it opens at 10am).

There seem to be Agnès b. Cafés sprouting up all over the show at the mo but, given its quaint Gough Street setting, this one is especially lovely and gets my vote. The standard of coffee has been great so far (it only opened recently so I’m crossing my fingers this continues to be the case) and the staff are always up for a bit of a chat. Worth dropping by if you’re in the area.

When it comes to HK cafés, Oolaa is one of my firm faves. Nestled in the heart of Soho, it’s quite ‘Melbourne’ with its open trendy look and feel. As well as boasting top notch Illy coffee (which is served with a piece of biscotti = winning), the café section is also home to a great range of counter food like muffins, toasties, cakes and slices – probably the best I’ve come across so far.

If you’re not grabbing a coffee and bite to eat on the run, Oolaa also does great sit-down food. Unfortunately that isn’t much of a secret as the restaurant section tends to book out each and every weekend (especially on Sundays). You can take your chances by turning up on the fly to snag a spot in the café part for breakfast or brunch; however, I recommend booking (you know, just to be safe).

Despite the dimly lit interior, Wagyu Lounge – along with its big sister Wagyu around the corner on Wyndham Street – often gets my day off to a bright start with its Illy coffee, which never fails to be smooth, velvety and just the right temperature (along with another free piece of biscotti). Personally, I think it’s a place more suited to sitting down and dining in rather than taking away. When it’s busy – and believe me, this place has a possie of regulars – it can be quite awkward standing at the bar waiting for your takeaway cup while dodging the bustling staff. If you’ve got time, grab a seat, get comfy and chow down as it’s far more enjoyable.

Tucked above a tidy brick staircase, Brunch Club delivers on coffee as well as atmosphere. Although located along busy Leighton Road, the above ground location cuts out a lot of the outside noise, making for a cool cosy setting that’s impossible to resist kicking back in.

An added bonus is that the Brunch Club is also home to Marie’s Patisserie & Boulangerie, an on-site bakery that produces handmade bread, cakes, pies and tarts most days each week. Team your latte with a freshly baked pastry and you’ll be sorted!

I’m a big fan of Classified’s Graffeo coffee. There are a fair few Classifieds sprinkled around HK now but the joint in Tin Hau has become my number one. If you’re dining in, then it’s worth noting a large size coffee is especially big – you’re probably best to stick with a regular if ordering with food.

Please note: All coffees bought in the making of this post were purchased by me personally!

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Lauren

Lauren was born and raised right here in Hong Kong and loves every part of the city and all its many contrasts. She loves to travel and is always on the look out for the next adventure…